Vidya Reddy, founder and director, Tulir, Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse, joined IBNLive readers for interaction on the rising sexual violence against children.
Q. Paedophiles? definitely an unnatural way to satisfy the lust. Is it due to social restrictions, like monogamy and illegalising prostitution, which leads to such devilish behaviour? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Sexual violence against children is not about unsatisfied lust ( though our Hon'ble Courts occasionally think so) or social restrictions, like monogamy and illegalising prostitution. It is committed by people who have a sexual interest in kids. Even here not all perpetrators of sexual violence against kids are pedophiles who only form one small group. While the media often refers to any sexual abuser of a child as a "pedophile," the truth is that many who sexually abuse children do not meet the criteria for "pedophilia," a recognized mental illness. A pedophile is defined as an individual who fantasizes about, is sexually aroused by, or experiences sexual urges toward prepubescent children (generally younger than 13 years of age) for a period of at least six months. Pedophiles are also referred to as "preferential abusers" because they often target children specifically because of the child's gender, age, appearance, hair color, etc. While the percentage of these abusers is relatively small within the general population, their compulsive behavior makes them a great risk to children. Pedophiles on average commit 10 times more sexual acts against children than other types of child abusers. They remain the most difficult group of abusers to treat and manage.
Q. Will a more coordinated and scientific way of SEX education in school prevent such abuses happening? If yes,what has been the government's response? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. What our children need is personal safety education which has a large component of sexuality education, not sex education. Sexuality education takes into account understanding the accompanying psycho-social-emotional aspects of sexual development. Personal Safety Education is an extension of the safety rules we teach our children, that is, don't play with fire, look both sides before and while crossing the road etc. Besides empowering children to take part in their own protection, it strengthens the ability of those morally, socially and professionally responsible for the protection of children, that is, the State, parents, educators, and the larger community. Personal Safety is curriculum designed to protect children from abuse, specifically sexual abuse Personal Safety empowers children to take part in their own protection by giving them age-appropriate information, skills, and self-esteem. Personal Safety teaches children that their body belongs only to them and nobody has the right to touch them in a way they don't like or understand. Personal Safety teaches children to understand their emotions to help keep them safe, using fear and anger in positive ways. Personal Safety teaches assertiveness skills, helping children to stand up for their own rights without violating the rights of others. Personal Safety builds the support system of each child, including the family, school, community, and friends. Personal Safety builds the self-esteem of each child to empower them to practice assertiveness skills for their own protection. Personal Safety builds empathy for one another. Personal Safety teaches children that only the offender is to blame for any inappropriate sexual touch.
Q. Are the new anti-rape laws ineffective? Asked by: Isha
A. POCSO 2012 - Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses, was notified for implementation from November last year and is very comprehensive and addresses various gaps and lacunae which were prevailing earlier. But for a law to be effective - it has to be used by complainants, and implemented in the spirit in which it was created by the various duty bearers responsible for its implementation - Heath professionals, legal system, police, judiciary, we the community. Also please remember there is justice and justice. Legal justice is what most of us subscribe to but the simplest form of justice is believing the child and ensuring the abuse is stopped and prevent it from happening again.
Q. How effective is the care and counseling for such abused victims? Is there a government agency which assists in these circumstances? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Quite pathetic. Indian society - that is all of us still have a poor understanding of therapeutic intervention. We have very very few properly trained( note I did not say qualified) mid level mental health professionals. At one end we have everyone and anyone a " counselor" and the other end we have psychiatrists who are not more than 4000 for a 1 billion plus population. Furthermore Psychiatry in India is very pharmacologically based.
Q. What role do you see of internet and porn sites? Do you think restricting these sites will effect anyway to reduce or stop these incidents. Asked by: Rahul Kaushal
A. Thanks for asking this very important question. There are huge implications arising from the intersection between information and communication technology and the gizmos which go with it and sexual violence. It has changed how sexual violence is committed and how the case presents. Blocking does not work, but giving kids an idea in and open non judgmental way about the threats and risks which these technologies also pose, is the first step, besides of course providing a congenial atmosphere to talk and discuss anything with parents or safe adults around them. . Giving laptops by various governments is a great idea but we also need accompanying online safety awareness.
Q. Is sexual violence against children really rising or is it that media has been successful in bringing into light more of such incidents than before? Asked by: Deepak
A. My answer to numbers on sexual violence cases reported is that world wide it is the most under reported crime, so if there is more reporting, it shows the confidence and awareness of folks in the Systems. There is greater reporting and a very small increase in incidence. Until the media lets go of sensationalising numbers as a peg for their reports, the police and Govt are going to be running scared to allow cases to be reported and registered.
Q. Activists like you madam, Why not propoganding good work doing by police force? If we citizens continue to disregard Kahakhi, Society will collapse & may revolt from police force? do you have any different opinion? Asked by: Deepak Desai
A. The police are recruited for reasons completely different from handling domestic violence and sexual violence. And after all they are from larger society. So till we change the manner of recruitment, recognize the unique dynamics of these cimes then only will we able to address them appropriately and effectively, with suitable training. There are a few good police initiative, but not sustained and institutionalized
Q. What makes you say that the violence is rising? Any evidence to disprove that its only awareness and reporting thats increasing while the crimes always existed while the society lived in denial? Asked by: Chandrakanth
A. Technology has certainly made a difference, and there is certainly a greater number of children and young people who are sexually offending
Q. Why are children becoming an easy target for these kind of monsters? Is it their silence? Asked by: Shruti
A. Pls visit our website to understand better the vulnurabilities of children and about abusers. No time now to answer your question
Q. What does Delhi child rape reveal about our society? Asked by: Sunil
A. That we only get upset when it is violent and rape. No time to discuss this further
Q. What is one good solution to cultivate awareness ? How such acts never existed in the 60s or 70s? Asked by: Paresh
A. With all due respect Paresh, sexual violence against childrenhas existed from time immemorial. It's just that there was more ignorance, more denial, less media scrutiny, no communication technologies. Educate ourselves about child sexual abuse so we no longer will be ignorant, uncomfortable, in denial and most important will be able to put in the safeguards , empower our children
Q. Is it not also because, porn is easily available through net....and of course without doubt current movies do contribute. Asked by: S ESHWAR
A. That correlation would be too simplistic to figure the complexities around the perpetuation of sexual violence against kids. However there has been studies to indicate people who collect/ watch child sexual abuse images( child pornography) are more likely to contact abuse against a child than people who just watch pornography.
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